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tumor

 - 6 dictionary results

tu⋅mor

[too-mer, tyoo-]
–noun
1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.
2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.
3. Archaic.
a. inflated pride; haughtiness.
b. pompous language; bombast.
Also, especially British, tumour.


Origin:
1535–45; < L: a swelling, swollen state, equiv. to tum(ēre) to swell + -or -or 1


tu⋅mor⋅like, adjective
tu⋅mor⋅ous, tu⋅mor⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tu·mor   (tōō'mər, tyōō'-)   
n.  
  1. An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm.

  2. A swollen part; a swelling.


[Middle English tumour, from Latin tumor, from tumēre, to swell; see teuə- in Indo-European roots.]
tu'mor·al, tu'mor·ous adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

tumor

An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

tumor 
1541, from L. tumor "swelling, condition of being swollen," from tumere "to swell" (see thigh).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: tu·mor
Variant: or chiefly British tu·mour /'t(y)ü-m&r/
Function: noun
: an abnormal benign or malignantmass of tissue that is not inflammatory, arises without obvious cause from cells of preexistent tissue, and possesses no physiological function —compare CANCER 1, CARCINOMA, SARCOMAtu·mor·like /-"lIk/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

tumor tu·mor (t&oomacr;'mər, ty&oomacr;'-)
n.

  1. An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm.

  2. A swollen part; a swelling.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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